In a startling report, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has revealed that road accidents claimed more lives than gunmen attacks in Nigeria during September 2024. The September Human Rights Dashboard, released on October 8 in Abuja, reported that 191 people died in road accidents, surpassing the 141 deaths resulting from criminal activities such as banditry and kidnappings.
Dr. Tony Ojukwu, Executive Secretary of the NHRC, expressed grave concern over the rising fatalities from road crashes, emphasizing the devastating impact on families and the infringement on their human rights. Ojukwu noted that according to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), 1,471 road fatalities were recorded in the first quarter of 2024.
Ojukwu called for immediate and long-term measures to curb road accidents, urging the government and FRSC to ensure the safety and welfare of all motorists in Nigeria.
The NHRC’s report also documented a staggering 305,300 human rights violation complaints in September 2024, with the North-West region accounting for the highest number of cases. Violations of freedom of religion, sexual and gender-based violence, child rights abuses, and excessive use of force by security agents during protests were highlighted as major concerns.
Ojukwu condemned the excessive force used by the police on protesters in Abuja, calling for accountability and urging the media to advocate for vulnerable populations and human rights protections across Nigeria.